Smaragdgruvene Byrud Gård

Byrud Emerald Mine


Useful Information

Location: Minnesund, Eidsvoll (Eidsvold), Akershus. From Oslo E6 to Minnesund, turn left on Rv33 towards Feiring and Gjøvik. After 4 km stop at sign Smaragdgruvene, 300 m walk to the mine.
Open: 15-APR to 01-OCT daily 8-18. [2005]
Fee: Adults NOK 80, Children NOK 40. Groups (10+): Adults NOK 40, Children NOK 30.
Classification: MineEmerald Mine
Light: LightIncandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address: Smaragdgruvene Byrud Gård, Anne Grete Røise/Ole Jørgen Bjørnstad, 2092 Minnesund, Tel: +47-6396-8611, Fax: +47-6396 5164. E-mail: contact
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1898 first emerald found by Evelyn Aston.
1899 mining started.
1909 mining ended.

Geology

In the Smaragdgruvene (emerald mine) at Byrud Gård, Permian emeralds, formed about 270 Million years ago were mined. They were formed inside Cambrian alum shists, which are about 500 to 570 Million years old.

Description

The Smaragdgruvene (emerald mine) at Byrud Gård is the only emerald mine in northern Europe. Located above the pleasant Mjøsa lake, the mine consists of 12 different tunnels, dug into the lake shore. The longest tunnel is 80 m, the area where emeralds are found extends for about 300 m.

During the visit it is allowed to collect minerals, and it is explicitely allowed to keep all found emeralds. Byrud Gård is the name of the farm, where the mine is located.

The emerald was found by chance, when the British geologist Edward Y. Aston explored the area. However, the first emerald was found by his daughter Evelyn, who accompanied him. Soon the mine was opened, and the crown of the British King Edward VII made in 1901 contained an emerald from here. Up to 30 men worked in the mine. But the small deposit was soon worked out, and the mine was closed. Today only small specimens are found, but they are still of high interest to mineral collectors.